Alpine Ski & Sports Files For Protection

CHESHIRE — Alpine Ski & Sports, with retail outlets in New Haven and Fairfield counties, has filed for bankruptcy, citing a drop in sales due to unusually mild winters during the past few years.

Company President Joseph McAndrew said Friday that the company is seeking protection from creditors as part of a corporate belt-tightening necessary to survive the recession.

Under Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, a company continues to operate under court supervision while it prepares a reorganization plan.

The company closed its 8,000-square-foot North Haven store, the largest of its its four retail outlets, in January.

McAndrew said the company is looking at broadening its retail base to attract more summer business or shrinking the size of its stock to remain competitive.

The other stores, which will remain open for now, are in Cheshire, Brookfield and Milford.

"We're trying to shrink our size and regroup," said McAndrew, president of the McAndrew Management Corp. based in Cheshire. "With the lack of snow over the last three years, it's not so much the economy as the seasonal effect on business."

The company's main source of revenue comes from winter sales of ski equipment, clothes and accessories, both retail and wholesale.